Diode pumped, fiber coupled laser with depolarized pump beam

ABSTRACT

A laser or laser amplifier apparatus has a diode pump source producing a polarized pump beam. A laser head includes a gain medium that produces an output beam. One or more optical fibers are coupled to the diode pump source and deliver the pump beam to the laser head. A depolarization device is coupled to the diode pump source, laser head or optical fiber and produces an depolarized pump beam. By depolarizing the output beam, movement, including rotation, of the pump source does not comprise the output beam produced from the laser head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to laser heads that are fiber coupledto laser diode pump sources, and more particularly to a laser or laseramplifier apparatus with a laser head that is fiber coupled to a diodesource which produces a polarized pump beam, and includes adepolarization device or method which changes the polarized pump beam toa depolarized pump beam.

2. Description of Related Art

Laser systems with fiber coupling imaging are known. One such systemincludes a laser head coupled by an optical fiber or fiber bundle to apower supply which contains a laser diode pumping source suitable forpumping a solid state laser medium in the laser head. A pump beam istransmitted from the power supply to the laser head by the opticalfiber. In many instances the image size from the fiber is matched to themode size in the laser medium. The image size from the fiber isdetermined by the fiber diameter and divergence of the light from thefiber. The use of the fiber optic coupling allows the laser head to becompact and contain only the optical elements while all of theelectronic and other elements, including the pumping source, can beplaced in a separate, stationary power supply. Another advantage is thatthe cooling requirements of the head are minimized, allowing for highpower, small air-cooled heads. Since the optical fiber can be long, thissystem configuration provides flexibility in the use of the laser,making the laser head portable. Further, different laser heads can bereadily interchanged. Thus a variety of different laser heads which havedifferent output characteristics can be used, essentially giving theuser the benefit of several different systems but without the expenseand redundance of entire separate systems because only a new laser headis required with the same power supply to have an entire new system.

Because the laser head contains only the optical components, theavailability of different outputs becomes relatively economic. The downtime in the case of a laser head failure is minimized since areplacement head can easily be substituted. Another advantage to the useof fiber optic coupling imagery for pumping the laser medium is that inthe event the pump source must be replaced, the diode source can bereplaced and matched into the fibers without the need for realignment ofthe laser head.

Diode pump sources typically produce a linearly polarized light output.Linear polarization is a condition in which the electric field vectorassociated with the light varies in amplitude at the light frequency,but is always oriented along one axis in space, in a plane perpendicularto the direction of light propagation. Passage of the light throughsubsequent optical elements can cause modification of this polarization.It may remain linear, but have a different direction within theperpendicular plane. The polarization may become circular, in which thevector amplitude remains constant, but its direction rotates at thelight frequency, within this plane. More generally, the polarization canbecome elliptical, in which both the amplitude and direction of theelectric vector vary within the perpendicular plane, at the lightfrequency, but with an arbitrary phase relationship.

Polarization is typically measured with a linear polarization analyzer,which measures the dominant direction of the polarization and the degreeto which it approaches the ideal linear case. Results are frequentlyquoted as the angle of the dominant direction and the "extinctionratio", the ratio of power transmission through the analyzer with itoriented in the dominant direction and orthogonal to that direction.Perfect linear polarization would have an infinite extinction ratio,while perfect circular or perfectly random polarization would have aratio of 1:1 and no dominant orientation. The general elliptical casewould have a dominant direction and an intermediate extinction value.

Multimode optical fibers or fiber bundles, such as are commonly used indiode-pumped, fiber-coupled laser systems, are often viewed as "lightpipes", which maintain the optical frequency and intensity of the lightthey transmit, but degrade its spacial and phase coherence. Inparticular, it was previously assumed that polarization of the inputlight would not be preserved at the output. However, it has beenobserved that in a short optical fiber or bundle, as is typically usedin a fiber-coupled laser system, a significant amount of the inputpolarization character is preserved. For instance, linearly-polarizeddiode laser pump light, with an extinction ratio of perhaps 500:1 can,when passed through a short length of optical fiber, still exhibitextinction ratios of 3:1. However, the exact direction of polarizationand extinction ratio vary among fibers and depend on the physicalconditions surrounding the fiber. In particular, the output polarizationvaries with fiber position.

Pump light absorption characteristics in a solid state laser gain mediumare often anisotropic, in other words, depend on the nature of the pumplight polarization. Therefore, changes in this polarization can affectperformance of the solid state laser. Based on the previous discussion,it should be clear that detailed performance of the laser can depend onthe relative position of the power supply, fiber and laser head, and theparticular fiber being used. This is a disadvantage when constant laserperformance is desired when changing system components or repositioningthe system.

To overcome this problem, pump light must be incident on the laser gainmedium with a polarization state that is insensitive to laser systemreconfiguration. This can be achieved if the pump light is completelydepolarized, e.g., has no preferred orientation. Depolarization of thepump light can be accomplished between the laser diode and the fiberinput along the fiber, or between the fiber output and the laser gainmedium.

It would be desirable to provide a diode pumped, fiber coupled systemthat is insensitive to the movement of components of the system. Itwould be further desirable to provide a diode pumped, fiber coupledsystem which delivers an unpolarized pump beam to the laser gain medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a laser orlaser amplifier apparatus that is diode pumped, fiber coupled to a diodepump source and insensitive to the physical configuration of individualcomponents of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a laser or laser amplifierapparatus that is diode pumped and optically coupled, and delivers adepolarized pump beam to the laser gain medium.

A further object of the invention is to provide a diode laser with apolarized pump beam and a depolarizer in order to deliver adepolarizered pump beam to a laser gain medium.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a fiber coupled laseror laser amplifier apparatus which can include a variety ofdepolarization devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fiber coupled laser orlaser amplifier apparatus that positions a depolarizer device between adiode pump source and an input of a fiber or fiber bundle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fiber coupledlaser or laser amplifier apparatus that positions a depolarizer deviceintermediate between an output end of an optical fiber and a pump faceof a laser gain medium.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fiber coupled laser orlaser amplifier apparatus that includes two diode pump sources eachproducing an independent orthogonally polarized pump beam, and acombining device which combines the polarized pump beams into a singleoptical fiber.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a fiber coupled laseror laser amplifier apparatus that is fiber coupled to a diode pumpsource with at least two diode sources each producing a polarized pumpbeam, and each pump beam is coupled into a multifurbricated fiber orfiber bundle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fiber coupled laser orlaser amplifier apparatus which is fiber coupled to a diode pump sourcethat produces a polarized pump beam, and the fiber changes the polarizedpump beam to a depolarized pump beam.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved in a laser orlaser amplifier apparatus with a diode pump source producing a polarizedpump beam. The apparatus includes a laser head with a gain medium pumpedby a depolarized pump beam to generate an output beam. One of an opticalfiber or bundle is coupled to the diode pump source and delivers thepump beam to the laser head.

In another embodiment, the laser or laser amplifier includes adepolarization device coupled to one of the diode pump source, laserhead or optical fiber or bundle, and produces a depolarized pump beam.

In yet another embodiment, the laser or laser amplifier apparatus has adiode pump source that produces a polarized pump beam. A laser headincludes a gain medium that produces an output beam. One or more opticalfibers are coupled to the diode pump source and delivering the pump beamto the laser head. The optical fiber or fibers have a geometry whichchanges the polarized pump beam to a depolarized pump beam.

There are numerous ways to achieve a depolarized pump beam, includingbut not limited to, (i) providing a diode pump source with at least twoindependent emitters that each produce pump beams of differentpolarizations along with a device that combines the polarized pump beamsinto a single optical fiber, (ii) providing two or more diode pumpsources with each producing a polarized pump beam that is coupled into amultifurbricated fiber, (iii) positioning the depolarization deviceadjacent to an input end of the optical fiber, (iv) positioning thedepolarization device adjacent to an output end of the optical fiber and(v) positioning the depolarization device along a length of the opticalfiber.

The laser gain medium can be made of an anisotropic material. Theoptical fiber can comprise a fiber bundle, with each fiber opticallycoupled to an emitter region of the diode source. A variety of diodesources can be utilized including but not limited to diode bars, asingle emitter or broad stripe emitters. Many depolarizers are suitablewith the present invention. Additionally, a multifurbricated fibercombining multiple sources with different polarizations can be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laser head which is fiber coupled to adiode pump source.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the relationship between a fiber andinput optics of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a depolarization device positionedbetween the diode pump source and the fiber or fiber bundle.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a depolarization device positionedbetween a telescope arrangement of optics located at the output end of afiber or fiber bundle.

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a depolarization device which is a wedge madeof a birefringent material that has an input polarization that is at 45degrees relative to the wedge's optical axis.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wedge made of a birefringent materialand a wedge made of anisotropic material, and the polarization of theinput beam is 45 degrees relative to the optical axis.

FIG. 7 illustrates a depolarization device which is a lens made from abirefringent material and the output beam has a polarization that is 45degrees relative to the optical axis.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a polarization device that is a slab ofbirefringent material positioned in a diverging beam with a polarizationthat is 45 degrees relative to the optical axis.

FIG. 9 illustrates a loop formed in a fiber of bundle.

FIG. 10 illustrates an optical fiber or bundle which has a serpentinegeometry along at least a portion of its length which depolarizes apolarized beam.

FIG. 11 illustrates a depolarization device which comprises a cube madeof left hand quartz and right hand quartz.

FIG. 12 illustrates a depolarization device which comprises two wedgesof birefringent material, such as quartz, in a contacting relationshipwhere the optical axis of the first wedge is 45 degrees relative to theoptical axis of the second wedge.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a plurality of diode sources withindependent output beams that are all coupled into a multifurbricatedfiber.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of two diode sources each producing anindependent output beam incident on a face of a polarization combiningelement which combines the two beams into a single output beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, the following definitions apply:

"Depolarized" shall mean a beam which when passed through a linearpolarization analyzer, and incident on an optical power meter, shows noappreciable variation in transmitted power with analyzer azimuthaldirection.

"Depolarizer" shall mean a device which converts a polarized beam to adepolarized beam.

"Diode source" shall mean a single diode with one emitter region, aspatial emitter, a diode bar or a plurality of diodes or diode bars anda broad stripe emitter. Diode source shall include optics for couplingthe diode light into an optical fiber if such optics are not separatelystated.

"Optical fiber" shall mean a single optical fiber or a plurality ofoptical fibers generally referred to as a fiber bundle.

"Multifurbricated fiber" shall mean two or more single optical fiberswhich are fused or combined together and continue as one single fiber.

"Multifurbricated bundle" shall mean a plurality of single fibers whichare bunched closely together and terminate together at one end, andwhich along its length is divided into two or more smaller bundles, eachof which terminates independently.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a laser or laser amplifier, generally denotedas 10, has a power supply 12, including a laser diode pump source 14,and one or more input optics 16. Laser diode pump source 14 is a modelNo. OPC-A020-797-CS, available from OptoPower Corporation, City ofIndustry, Calif. Preferred wavelengths of diode pump source 14 are inthe range of 790 to 815 nm. Laser diode pump source 14 can be aplurality of diode sources each producing separate polarized outputbeams. Substantially equal power output means that the separatepolarized output beams have power outputs that are different by no morethan 10%, preferably no more than 5% and still more preferably no morethan 2%. Substantially equal wavelengths means a difference in thecenter of the wavelengths of 1 nm or less. The combined output beams arethen combined to produce a depolarized pump beam, as more fullydescribed below. The present invention can be filed as disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,665,529 and 5,127,068, incorporated herein by reference.

Input optics 16 include mirrors, lenses and combinations therefore, andfocus a polarized output beam produced from laser diode pump source 14to an input end 18' of optical fiber 18. Suitable optical fibersincluded. Optical fiber can have a length of ten meters or less, sixmeters or less or two meters or less.

An output end 18" of optical fiber 18 delivers the output beam to alaser head 20. Laser head 20 includes output optics 22 and a laser gainmedium 24. A suitable laser gain medium 24 includes but is not limitedto Nd:YLF, Nd:YAG, Nd:YVO₄, Nd:GVO₄, Nd:YPO₄, Nd:BEL, Nd:YALO andNd:LSB. A preferred crystal material is Nd:YVO₄. Laser gain medium 24can be an anisotropic material. Laser gain medium 24 receives thedepolarized pump beam and produces an output beam 26. Wavelengths ofspecific laser gain mediums 24 are as follows: Tm:YAG--785 nm;Nd:YLF--793; and Nd:YAG, Nd:YVO₄ --809 nm.

Referring now to FIG. 2, two optical elements, such as lenses 28 and 30are arranged in a telescope configuration and define input optics 16 andoutput optics 22.

Input optics focus the pump beam to a desired size by lenses 28 and 30.The telescope arrangement provides for the focussing of the pump beamfrom laser diode pump source 14. The size of the pump beam is optimizedwith lenses 28 and 30 to avoid fracture of incident faces of laser gainmedium 24 while increasing useful pump power, and may be mode-matched.

A beam shaping device can be included. Laser or laser amplifier 10 has abeam with a first beam quality factor M_(x) ² in a first direction, anda second beam quality factor M_(y) ² in an orthogonal direction. Thebeam shaping device includes at least one reflecting surface divertingat least a first part of the beam in order to reconfigure at least oneof the first and second beam qualities M_(x) ² and M_(y) ². This beamshaping device provides more equal M² values in the two orthogonaldirections to facilitate focusing of the diode laser beam into a smalloptical fiber 18.

A depolarization device 32 can be included to modify the polarized pumpbeam to a depolarized pump beam. As shown in FIG. 3, depolarizationdevice 32 is positioned between lenses 28 and 30 in power supply 12. InFIG. 4, depolarization device 32 is positioned in laser head 20 betweenlenses 28 and 30. It will be appreciated that depolarization device 32need not be positioned between lenses 28 and 30 but can be placedadjacent to input end 18', output end 18" or adjacent to lens 28 or 30outside of the telescoping arrangement. Additionally, depolarizationdevice 32 can be positioned along a selected length of optical fiber 18.

A variety of depolarization devices 32 are suitable for use with thepresent invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 12. Depolarizationdevice can be, (i) a wedge 34 made of a birefringent material that hasin input polarization which is preferably 45 degrees relative to itsoptical axis (FIG. 5); (ii) a wedge 36' made of a birefringent materialcoupled to a wedge 36" comprising an isotropic material, where thepolarization is preferably 45 degrees relative to the optical axis (FIG.6); (iii) a lens 38 made from a birefringent material, where thepolarization is preferably 45 degrees relative to the optical axis (FIG.7); (iv) a slab 40 with a diverging beam, where the polarization ispreferably 45 degrees to the optical axis (FIG. 8); (v) a section ofoptical fiber 18 with a loop geometry 42 (FIG. 9); (vi) a serpentinesection 44 of fiber 18 (FIG. 10); a cube made of two prisms of opticallyactive material; such as quartz. The first section made of left handmaterial 46' and a second section of right hand material 46", each withits optic axis along the beam path (FIG. 11); and first and secondwedges 48' and 48" made of material and optically contacted, where anoptic axis of wedge 48' is 45 degrees relative to an optic axis of wedge48" (FIG. 12). The purpose of the preceding depolarization devices is tomodify the linear polarization of an incident light beam in a mannerwhich varies rapidly across the beam. Examples of depolarization devicesare disclosed in Handbook of Optics, published by McGraw Hill, edited byWalter G. Driscoll, (1978); Melles-Griot Catalog, Section 14, pp. 26-27,(1994); Virgo Optics Catalog, p. 17, (1991), all incorporated herein byreference.

In fiber loop 42 of FIG. 9, transmitted light experiences a very largenumber of internal reflections and variable phase retardation due tolocal stress birefringence and the long interaction length. The result,is "scrambling" of the input polarization state and a randomly polarizedoutput, regardless of the particular fiber 18 position. The length offiber 18 required for adequate randomization may be many tens of meters.Serpentine 44 of FIG. 10, or other local fiber perturbation, is intendedto achieve this same result with less length of fiber 18.

In the device of FIG. 11, optical activity in crystalline quartz 46rotates the linear input polarization clockwise or counterclockwise,according to whether the quartz is right-handed or left-handed. Becausethe relative optical path length through the two types of quartz variesacross the beam, the polarization orientation will vary across the beam.The more rapidly this orientation varies across the beam, the morecomplete is the depolarization. Even though any microscopic region ofthe beam is still well polarized, the sum of all the differentlypolarized regions will have virtually no preferred orientation. This iswhat is important in pumping the laser crystal.

The devices in FIGS. 5-8 also produce a varying polarization stateacross the beam, but do so by birefringent rotation rather than opticalactivity. In each case, the optical path length through the birefringentmaterial varies across the beam width. For maximum depolarization theoptical axis of the material and the input polarization should be at 45degrees to each other. In this case, moving across the beam, linearpolarization changes through elliptical, circular, elliptical, and thenlinear, orthogonal polarization. This cycle repeats itself across thebeam. The greater the thickness gradient, the wider the beam and thelarger the birefringence, the more cycles occur and the more effectiveis the depolarization.

The devices of FIGS. 5-8 provide most effective depolarization of alinearly polarized input beam if the optical axis of the birefringentmaterial is at exactly 45 degrees to the input polarization. The degreeof depolarization can often be quite sensitive to this angle. Precisealignment can be accomplished at the input end optical fiber 18, becausethe diode pump beam is well polarized there in a fixed direction. Thisis not possible at the output end of a short fiber 18, however, sincethe rotation and partial depolarization occurring in fiber 18 willchange when the fiber is exchanged or the system components are moved.Some degree of motion sensitivity will remain when devices such as thosein FIGS. 5-8 are used at the output end of a short fiber.

The device of FIG. 12 solves this problem. Since depolarization of theinput beam is the sum of effects occurring in wedges 48' and 48", andthe optical axis of wedges 48' and 48" are oriented at 45 degrees, atleast one of the two parts will be very effective in depolarizing theinput beam, regardless of its orientation. The device of FIG. 12 has theadvantages of being compact, requiring no rotational alignment and beingeffective at either end of fiber 18.

The device of FIG. 11, employing optical activity, also requires norotational alignment. It is also effective at either end of a shortfiber, but is not as compact.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a plurality of laser diode pump sources 14with associated input optics 16, each produce a distinct polarizedoutput beam. This plurality of polarized output beams is combined into amultifurbricated fiber 18 and is coupled to laser head 20. A singledepolarized output beam is incident on laser gain medium 24. Thepolarizations of the various laser diode pump sources are arranged suchthat their sum, incident of the laser gain medium is depolarized.

As shown in FIG. 14, laser diode pump source 14, which need not be ofequal power but each having substantially equal wavelength, comprisesfirst and second laser diode pump sources 14' and 14". Their outputbeams have orthogonal polarizations, substantially equal output powersand wavelengths. These two output beams are combined in a polarizationcombining element 50, and focused by input optics 16 into optical fiber18. Polarization combining element 50 can be a cube, or othercombination of polarization selective elements.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparentto practitioners skilled in this art. It is intended that the scope ofthe invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laser or laser amplifier apparatus,comprising:a diode pump source producing a polarized pump beam; anoptical fiber coupled to the diode pump source; a depolarization deviceconfigured to receive one of the polarized pump beam or an optical fiberdelivered pump beam and produce a depolarized pump beam, wherein thedepolarization device reduces a sensitivity of the laser or laseramplifier apparatus to one of a polarization rotation or a partialdepolarization effect created by the optical fiber; and a laser headincluding a polarization dependent absorption gain medium pumped by thedepolarized pump beam and generating an output beam.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising:beam shaping optics positioned adjacent toan emitter region of the diode pump source facilitating focus ability ofthe pump beam into one of an optical fiber.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the diode pump source is a diode bar.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the diode pump source is a single emitter.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the diode pump source is a broad stripe emitter. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber has a length of tenmeters or less.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical fiberhas a length of six meters or less.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe optical fiber has a length of two meters or less.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the laser gain medium is made of all anisotropicmaterial.
 10. A laser or laser amplifier apparatus, comprising:a diodepump source producing a polarized pump beam; an optical fiber coupled tothe diode pump source; a laser head including a polarization dependentabsorption gain medium pumped by a depolarized pump beam and generate anoutput beam; and a depolarization device configured to receive one ofthe polarized pump beam or an optical fiber delivered pump beam andproduce the depolarized pump beam, wherein the depolarization devicereduces a sensitivity of the laser or laser amplifier apparatus to oneof a polarization rotation or a partial depolarization effect created bythe optical fiber, and the depolarization device is coupled to one ofthe diode pump source, the laser head or the optical fiber and produce adepolarized pump beam.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thedepolarization device is positioned between an input end of one of theoptical fiber and the diode pump source.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the depolarization device is positioned along a length of one ofthe optical fiber.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thedepolarization device is positioned between an output end of one of theoptical fiber and the laser gain medium.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the depolarization device provides a varying polarization acrossthe pump beam.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the diode sourceis a diode bar.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the diode sourceis a single emitter.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the diodesource is a broad stripe emitter.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe depolarization device is a birefringent wedge positioned to providea varying polarization across the pump beam.
 19. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the depolarization device is two wedges in a contactingrelationship.
 20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the depolarizationdevice is a birefringent fiber lens.
 21. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the depolarization device is a loop of optical fiber.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the depolarization device is a locallystressed region of the optical fiber.
 23. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the depolarization device is a knot of the optical fiber. 24.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the depolarization device is abraided optical fiber.
 25. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thedepolarization device is a wedge or prism possessing optical activityoriented to produce spatially varying polarization rotation.
 26. A laseror laser amplifier apparatus, comprising:a diode pump source producing apolarized pump beam; an optical fiber coupled to the diode pump sourceand delivering the pump beam to the laser head, wherein the opticalfiber has a geometry which changes the polarized pump beam to adepolarized pump beam and reduces one of a polarization rotation or apartial depolarization effect of the optical fiber; and a laser headincluding a polarization dependent absorption gain medium pumped by thedepolarized pump beam and generate an output beam.
 27. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the beam combining device includesa telescopearrangement of optical elements positioned between the gain medium andan output end of one of the optical fiber.
 28. The apparatus of claim26, where the diode source is a diode bar.
 29. The apparatus of claim26, wherein the diode source is a single emitter.
 30. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the diode source is a broad stripe emitter.
 31. Theapparatus of claim 26, wherein the optical fiber has a length of tenmeters or less.
 32. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the optical fiberhas a length of six meters or less.
 33. The apparatus of claim 26,wherein the optical fiber has a length of two meters or less.
 34. Theapparatus of claim 26, wherein the laser gain medium is made of ananisotropic material.
 35. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein one of theoptical fiber provides a varying polarization across the pump beam. 36.The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the diode source is a plurality ofdiode sources each producing a pump beam with a different polarizationbut with substantially equal wavelength, wherein the pump beams areindividually focussed into a different input ends of one of amultifurcated fiber.
 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the pumpbeams have substantially equal power.
 38. The apparatus of claim 36,further comprising:a telescope arrangement of optical elementspositioned between the apparatus gain medium and an output end of one ofthe optical fiber or bundle.
 39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein thedepolarization device is positioned within the telescope arrangement.40. The apparatus of claim 36, where the diode source is a diode bar.41. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the diode source is a singleemitter.
 42. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the diode source is abroad stripe emitter.
 43. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the opticalfiber has a length of ten meters or less.
 44. The apparatus of claim 36,wherein the optical fiber has a length of six meters or less.
 45. Theapparatus of claim 36, wherein the optical fiber has a length of twometers or less.
 46. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the laser gainmedium is made of anisotropic material.
 47. A laser or laser amplifierapparatus, comprising:a first diode pump source producing a firstpolarized pump beam with a first polarization direction; a second diodepump source producing a second polarization pump beam with a secondpolarization direction that is different from the first polarizationdirection; a beam combining device configured to combine the first andsecond polarized pump beams and produce a depolarized pump beam; anoptical fiber coupled to the first and second diode pump sources; and alaser head including a polarization dependent absorption gain mediumpumped by the depolarized pump beam and generate an output beam.
 48. Theapparatus of claim 47, wherein the first and second pump beams havesubstantially equal power outputs.
 49. The apparatus of claim 48,wherein the first and second pump beams have substantially equalwavelengths.
 50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the beam combiningdevice includes one or more polarization selective mirrors.
 51. Theapparatus of claim 47, wherein the beam combining device includes atelescope arrangement of optical elements.
 52. The apparatus of claim47, wherein the beam combining device is portioned between the first andsecond diode pump sources and all input end of the optical fiber. 53.The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the beam combining device isportioned between an output end of the optical fiber and the gainmedium.
 54. A laser or laser amplifier apparatus, comprising:a firstdiode pump source producing a first polarized pump beam with a firstpolarization direction; a second diode pump source producing a secondpolarization pump beam with a second polarization direction that isdifferent from the first polarization direction; a laser head includinga polarization dependent absorption gain medium pumped by a depolarizedpump beam and generating an output beam; and a telescope arrangement ofoptical elements positioned between the gain medium and an output end ofthe optical fiber configured to combine the first and second polarizedpump beams and produce a depolarized pump beam.